Tenant in Hospital

G_M

swingaloo wrote: »

Something else to consider-

The relatives live so distance away and are elderly themselves so its quite possible that they will not want to take on the responsibility of clearing the property. There is nothing to stop them from taking the odd bits they want and abandoning the rest, they are under no obligation to clear the house.

unless they are the Executers or Administrators of the deceased's Estate.

da_rule

Kind of makes you hope the rent does stop and the estate is insolvent...

M_Python

da_rule wrote: »

Kind of makes you hope the rent does stop and the estate is insolvent...

Or squatters move in and trash the place :rotfl:

ps2659

Thanks for all the comments.

Bossypants

Clutterfree wrote: »

Their relative is DYING!
I’m sure they had more important things to worry about than to inform you of their plans before visiting their loved one!

It really doesn't matter if their relative is dying. The tenant has every right to have loved ones stay for a visit for whatever reason they like, including no reason at all. It's their home.

Speaking as a landlord, not one of my tenants has ever informed me that someone was coming to stay for a holiday, and if they did I would find it pretty weird and point out their rights in that respect.

FBaby

You are right to be concern. Of course it is sad that the tenant is dying and indeed, you had no business in asking about relatives staying over.

However, you are right about the bills. If the family inform the utility companies that the tenant left the property at the time they went to hospital, the utility company will go with that date, even if you show them your contract, and they will go after you for payment. This is what happened to me and nothing made any difference. Companies don't care, they just want their money. If you are talking about days, it will be a minor costs that you should accept as part of the business of being a landlord. If it goes on for weeks, your recourse will be to sue the estate.

You are better establishing a good relationship with the family so that you can agree as to the legal steps to get your property back after they pass away. Don't assume that you have a right to go in afterwards, or do anything to remove their property. The last thing you want to consider is having to go to court to be able to access your property again.

Be kind and considerate, and accept in advance that it isn't impossible that you might potentially lose out financially.

AdrianC

FBaby wrote: »

However, you are right about the bills. If the family inform the utility companies that the tenant left the property at the time they went to hospital, the utility company will go with that date, even if you show them your contract, and they will go after you for payment.

"The family" have no right at all to interfere with the tenant's utility contracts - and the providers shouldn't even be talking to them.

If you're meaning the executor of the estate, post-death, then that's a different question. But the simple legal fact is that the tenant IS liable for their utility provision right up until the end of their tenancy.

Whether your particular utility provider got that wrong or not is a separate question.

[Deleted User]

As someone who took their young adult son to see their dying father yesterday, believe you me, you were lucky to get any information at all. The relatives obviously care about their dying relative or they wouldn't be making effort to spend time with them. I can not begin to explain the emotional impact of dealing with seeing someone you care for die. They have other things to worry about than your tenancy and following what you think is polite. Be very grateful they had the emotional reserves to contact you at all. I wouldn't have done as I took my collapsing son who had suddenly realised the realities of coming to terms with his father dying into a quiet room. After trying to comfort and share with his father how loved he is, and how significant his life has been to him. He's only 54.

Believe it or not, they are trying to help their relative. Probably don't have much energy left after. I know how I feel today. Didn't have anywhere to stay so 6 hours travelling yesterday.

Its one of the risks of renting a property, there are no guarantees any tenant will see the end of their tenancy. Normally they will obviously but rarely they won't. It just one of the risks of being a LL. No one is trying to cause you trouble, they are just trying to deal with what is happening and comfort their relative as they pass.

If you haven't already join a LL forum and investigate the legal side of what needs to happen when a tenant dies. Or see a specialist solicitor.

G_M

ps2659 wrote: »

Thanks for all the comments.

Considering the tone (mine included!) of the responses that's a polite and restrained response! :beer: